Rectified Bill sent to Govt for approval
SHILLONG: KHADC CEM Pynshngaiñ N Syiem has slammed the Opposition alliance — ARPA — for trying to take ‘political mileage’ by misleading people on the KHAD (Village Administration) Bill, 2015.
“The MDCs of ARPA are desperate since they have failed to resolve the stalemate that has arisen following the December 10 High Court ruling which had stripped the powers of the Rangbah Shnong,” Syiem said while addressing newsmen here on Monday.
The rectified KHAD (Village Administration) Bill, 2015, meanwhile, was forwarded to the State government for approval.
The KHADC CEM came down heavily on ARPA, which was in power in the district council for more than one year, for failing to convert the VAB into an Act.
“Internal rumblings led to the ARPA’s failure. On one hand the HSPDP demanded a State law to empower the traditional institutions while UDP sought an ordinance,” he said.
“The ARPA now feels insecure as PDF has got the rectified VAB passed in the House,” Syiem said.
It may be noted that the Congress lead People’s Democratic Front (PDF) which is heading the Executive Committee (EC) in the district council passed the VAB after making certain rectifications and deletions to the bill on May 30.
According to Syiem, the Section 5 of sub-section (VIII) of the Bill vests powers with the Dorbar Shnong and not the Rangbah Shnong (headman).
“The opposition wants to make an issue out of this only for their own political gain and to mislead people,” the CEM said.
In Sub section (VIII) of Section 5, the words “non-Khasis of India who have been residing within the village/locality for a period of not less than 14 years preceding the date of application of such non-Khasi citizens and such certificate shall be granted subject to prior approval from the Chief and his Dorbar and the District Council and on such pre-requisites as may be prescribed from time to time by the Executive Committee by way of notification,” appearing after the “words certificates to” shall be omitted and substituted by the words “inhabitants of the village.”
“We want to empower the Dorbar Shnong and not the political parties,” Syiem said while adding that the PDF feels satisfied since it has been able to fulfill the demand of the people.
Meanwhile, the KHADC CEM pointed out in Section 9 sub section (XII) which states that the Rangbah Shnong cannot issue no objection certificates or residential certificates without getting the prior approval of the executive dorbar.
During the Special Session on May 30 while deliberating on the VAB, the MDCs of ARPA were of the view that the corrections suggested by the State Government on the Bill are detrimental to the interests of the indigenous community.
The ARPA MDCs were also against the deletion of sub section (XVI) of Section 5 (which says -“The EC in recognition of the customary practices prevailing within the Hima(s) or Raid(s) or Village(s) may from time to time by notification prescribe the restrictions, terms and conditions of entry of a person other than a tribal native resident”).
According to Syiem, after the VAB gets the Governor’s assent then the EC will frame the rules of the Bill. “It is here we will restrict the Dorbar Shnongs so that they do not issue any objection certificates /residential certificates randomly,” the CEM said.
Syiem also said that Section 5 sub section (VII) of the Bill incorporates that the Dorbar Shnong keeps a village register for recording its inhabitants.
He also said that Section 5 sub section (XIV) puts restrictions on the migrant labourers and work force.